Kumi Pledger

Compassionate clinician combining medical and counseling expertise

MD, LCPC Maryland

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English, Japanese

About Kumi

Kumi Pledger is an MD and licensed clinical professional counselor with ten years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and relationship challenges.

Background and approach

She brings medical training together with counseling skills to address a wide range of concerns, including trauma and abuse, addictions, bipolar mood concerns, parenting and family issues, grief, intimacy-related struggles, and LGBT matters. Kumi emphasizes practical strategies that reduce worry and unwanted behaviors while encouraging personal insight and growth.

Her style is warm, respectful, and collaborative, honoring each person’s strengths as the basis for change. Kumi draws from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment-based work, client-centered methods, dialectical behavior skills, and emotionally-focused techniques along with mindfulness and guided imagery practices.

She aims to help clients improve sleep, build coping skills for life changes, repair communication, and reclaim a sense of joy and purpose. Sessions blend evidence-informed tools with attention to each client’s story and goals, offered in English and Japanese to accommodate diverse needs.

Approaches that inform online care and practical benefits

Many clients find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helpful for identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing specific behavioral changes to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and manage mood symptoms. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection and security in relationships, helping clients explore how early and current attachment experiences affect trust, communication, and intimacy.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to assess needs, goals, and preferences and may combine methods such as CBT, attachment work, or client-centered listening to create a customized plan that evolves over time.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity during life changes, and access care across different locations. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, teach skills, and support progress through these remote options while honoring each person’s pace and goals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kumi commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, relationship and family issues, addictions, grief, parenting and a range of other concerns such as bipolar and LGBT-related issues.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

Kumi blends compassionate, client-centered listening with practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment-based work, DBT, and emotionally-focused approaches to help clients build skills and insight.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has ten years of experience combining medical background and counseling practice to support individuals facing mood, relational, and behavioral challenges.

What credentials and location are associated with this therapist?

She holds MD and LCPC credentials with licence number MD LCPC LC10963 and practices from Maryland.

Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?

Yes, sessions are available in English and Japanese, and she also accepts international clients.

In what formats are appointments offered?

Appointments can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin working with this clinician?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobias Post-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English, Japanese